An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s9.48

v1.c9.s9.48

While there are quite a few objects, including seals, in the first-named category, we shall deal here only with such examples as have been found in a reasonably datable context at the w. Asian sites. Thus one may refer to the occurrence of: etched carnelian beads of the typical Indus style in the Royal Graves at Ur, and in the burials at Kish, both ascribable to the Early Dynastic III times (the beads continue to occur in the Sargonid period as well); characteristic kidney-shaped bone inlays at Tell Asmar in the Akkadian levels (in which also occur potsherds with barbotine knobs (again typically Indus); and gold disc beads with axial tube from Early Dynastic III-Akkadian levels of some Mesopotamian sites. In this context mention may also be made of the presence in the early levels of Mohenjo-daro of the fragment of a vessel of chlorite schist, carved with a design resembling interwoven matting, which evidently belongs to the category of ‘stone house-urns’ found also at Kish, Lagash, Ur, etc., in Early Dynastic context. Of the seals of the Indus style found in datable contexts two are ascribable to the pre-Sargonid times, six to the Sargonid and two to the Larsa period. A seal stated to be from the Kassite levels is of doubtful stratigraphy. The foregoing evidence shows that the contacts of the Indus and w. Asian civilizations had already begun in the Early Dynastic III period (*c.* 2550 B.C.), were on the peak during the Akkadian (*c.* 2350 B.C.), and had declined by the Larsa times (*c.* 1950 B.C.).